Srinagar bans Eid prayers, detains Mirwaiz

For the eighth consecutive year, authorities in India — Srinagar>>> disallowed congregational Eid-ul-Adha prayers at the historic Eidgah and Jama Masjid on May 27, 2026. Additionally, Kashmir's chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq>>>, was placed under house arrest, preventing him from leading the prayers and delivering his sermon. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq>>> strongly criticized these restrictions, calling them a 'systematic assault on our religious identity, dignity and fundamental rights.' He also expressed concern that an entire generation of children in Kashmir is growing up without experiencing these traditional Eid prayers. While major Eid prayers were held peacefully at other locations, such as the Hazratbal shrine, the continued ban at the prominent sites and the house arrest of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq>>> drew sharp criticism regarding curbs on religious freedoms in the Valley.